Issues to revise

Look at the Baroque table already uploaded on Learn, know the Baroque
composers. Know the names like Rameau and Couperin even if we have not
listened to their works in class.
Be aware of the dates. Know which composer or style or genre was in early-
mid-late Baroque period. Be aware of the baroque orchestra.
THINK ABOUT THE ANSWER OF THIS QUESTION for the EXAM:
Which Baroque composer influences you the most? In which way? Please
justify your answer by giving examples from his/her music, his/her way of
composing, his/her way of working or thinking, his/her philosophy. (10 or 15
points)

National and international styles of the composers matter in this period.

Read pages 289 – 295 of the book Concise History of Western Music. Know about
Handel’s popularity in general, his operas and his international style. I am going to
ask you about his international style.
Bach
Read pages 278 (Bach’s preludes and fugues, Vivaldi’s influence on Bach), page
280 (the Well-Tempered Clavier), page 281, pages 284-285.
Try to compare Bach’s harpsichord and choral works with his predecessors’ works
(like Buxtehude’s or Frescobaldi’s toccatas, Gabrieli’s and Schütz’ vocal works.
Look at their sections, their textures and orchestrations, the genres -how are they
called, sacred concerto? Cantata?-)

LOOK AT THESE QUESTIONS:

Please read the below questions and think what would be your answer to those.
You may have same questions or some questions related to the below issues.
• SORU- Continuity from late Renaissance to Baroque:
Give an example of a genre that was cultivated in both Renaissance and
Baroque periods.
Give an example of a Baroque genre that, although fundamentally new,
incorporates many elements from the Renaissance period.
• CEVAP- One genre that was cultivated in both the Renaissance and Baroque
periods is the madrigal. A madrigal is a type of secular vocal music that
originated in Italy in the Renaissance and spread throughout Europe during the
16th and 17th centuries. Madrigals were typically written for small groups of
voices and were characterized by their expressive, emotional text setting and
their use of elaborate polyphonic textures.
•
• During the Baroque period, the madrigal continued to be an important genre,
and many composers wrote madrigals in a style that incorporated elements of
the Baroque aesthetic, such as the use of ornamental melodies and the
employment of chromaticism and dissonance to create dramatic tension.
•
• An example of a Baroque genre that incorporates many elements from the
Renaissance period is the opera. Opera is a genre of music that originated in
 Italy in the late 16th century and combines music, drama, and visual design to
create a staged performance. Although opera is a fundamentally new genre that
emerged during the Baroque period, it incorporates many elements from the
Renaissance, such as the use of polyphonic textures and the setting of poetic
texts to music. Opera also draws on the tradition of classical Greek and Roman
theater, which was an important influence on the development of the genre.
• SORU- Types of opera-What are the Terms that were employed for early operas
and late operas- Italian and French operas…
• CEVAP- Early operas, which were composed during the late Renaissance and
early Baroque periods (16th and 17th centuries), are generally referred to as
"Baroque operas." These operas were characterized by their use of elaborate
polyphonic textures, ornate melodies, and complex harmonies, and often
featured highly stylized and ornamental vocal lines. Many early operas were
written in Italian and were performed in courts and theaters throughout Europe.
•
• Late operas, which were composed during the 18th and early 19th centuries, are
generally referred to as "Classical operas" or "Romantic operas." These operas
were characterized by their more balanced and transparent texture, simpler
melodies, and greater emphasis on vocal expression. Many late operas were
written in Italian and French and were performed in opera houses throughout
Europe.
•
• It is worth noting that these are broad categorizations and that there is
significant overlap and variation within each category. Many composers wrote
operas that incorporated elements from both the Baroque and
Classical/Romantic styles, and there were also many composers who wrote
operas in languages other than Italian and French.
• SORU- What is meant... by ‘basso continuo’? by basso ostinato? by monody?
• CEVAP- Basso continuo (also known as "thoroughbass") is a term that refers to
a style of accompaniment that was used in Baroque music. In basso continuo, a
performer plays a bass line on an instrument such as a harpsichord or bass viol,
and another performer improvises chords above this bass line on an instrument
such as a lute or organ. The performer improvising the chords is typically
provided with a written figured bass notation that indicates the chords to be
played. Basso continuo accompaniment was used in a wide range of musical
genres in the Baroque period, including opera, instrumental music, and vocal
music.
•
• Basso ostinato (also known as "ground bass") is a compositional technique that
involves the repetition of a short, recurrent melodic and harmonic pattern,
typically in the bass part. This pattern is often accompanied by a variation in the
upper parts. Basso ostinato was a popular technique in Baroque music and was
used in a variety of genres, including opera, instrumental music, and vocal
music.
•
• Monody is a compositional style that involves a single melodic line
accompanied by a bass line. Monody originated in Italy in the late 16th century
and was an important precursor to the Baroque opera. In monody, the melody is
typically highly expressive and is accompanied by a simple bass line that
supports the harmony. Monody was an important influence on the development
of Baroque opera and is considered to be one of the key elements that led to the
creation of this genre.
• SORU- Where do we find ‘idiomatic’ instrumental music?
• CEVAP- "Idiomatic" instrumental music refers to music that is written
specifically for a particular instrument or group of instruments, and that takes
advantage of the technical and expressive capabilities of those instruments.
Idiomatic instrumental music can be found in a wide range of musical genres
and styles, including classical, jazz, folk, and popular music.
•
• Examples of idiomatic instrumental music include sonatas for piano, concertos
for violin, and symphonies for orchestra. In these types of works, the composer
has written music that is tailored to the specific characteristics of the
instruments for which it is intended, and that takes advantage of the technical
and expressive capabilities of those instruments.
•
• Idiomatic instrumental music can also be found in more specialized genres,
such as chamber music (music for small groups of instruments), solo
instrumental music (music for a single instrument), and music for electronic
instruments. In all of these cases, the composer has written music that is
idiomatic to the instruments or instrumentation being used.
• SORU- The differences between the two important national styles (French and
Italian) in the Baroque period.
French overture, double dot in rhythms. Italian concerto style catchy rhythmic
style. Also in recitative. Fr: Suited to the language of French. Video Armide –
good example of monologue (video) Lully’s way of recitative was modelled by
later composers.
CEVAP- During the Baroque period, there were two major national styles of
music that developed in Europe: the French style and the Italian style. These
styles were characterized by certain distinctive features that set them apart from
each other and that reflected the cultural and artistic traditions of each country.
One of the main differences between the French and Italian styles was in their
use of form. The French style was characterized by the use of the "French
overture," which was a type of instrumental introduction that featured a slow,
grandiose opening section followed by a fast, virtuosic section. The Italian
style, on the other hand, was characterized by the use of the concerto form,
which featured a solo instrument or group of instruments accompanied by an
orchestra. The Italian concerto style was known for its catchy, rhythmic
melodies and virtuosic solo passages.
Another difference between the French and Italian styles was in their use of
rhythm. The French style was known for its use of the double dot in rhythms,
which added an extra beat to certain rhythmic patterns and gave the music a
feeling of greater momentum. The Italian style, on the other hand, was known
for its use of simpler, more straightforward rhythms that were designed to be
catchy and memorable.
In terms of vocal music, the French and Italian styles also had some notable
differences. The French style was known for its use of recitative, which was a
type of declamatory singing that was used to convey the dramatic action of an
opera. The French composer Jean-Baptiste Lully was particularly famous for
his use of recitative, and his style was later imitated by other composers. The
Italian style, on the other hand, was known for its use of melody and
 expressiveness in vocal music, and Italian opera composers such as Claudio
Monteverdi and Antonio Vivaldi were known for their ability to create highly
emotional and expressive vocal lines.
Overall, the French and Italian styles of the Baroque period were characterized
by a number of distinctive features that set them apart from each other and that
reflected the cultural and artistic traditions of their respective countries.
• SORU- What was originally meant by the term ‘concerto’ (give examples). The
change of the genre from the beginning of the century until its end (17 th
century,
early 18th century)
• CEVAP- The term "concerto" originally referred to a type of instrumental music
that featured a solo instrument or group of instruments accompanied by an
orchestra. The concerto form developed in Italy during the Baroque period
(17th and early 18th centuries) and was characterized by the use of contrast
between the soloist(s) and the orchestra. In a concerto, the soloist(s) would
typically play virtuosic melodies and display their technical skills, while the
orchestra provided accompaniment and support.
•
• Examples of early Baroque concertos include Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four
Seasons," which features solo violin accompanied by orchestra, and Johann
Sebastian Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto," which features a variety of solo
instruments accompanied by orchestra.
•
• During the 18th century, the concerto genre underwent significant changes as
the Baroque style gave way to the Classical style. In the Classical period, the
concerto form became more balanced and transparent, and the role of the
soloist(s) became more integrated with that of the orchestra. The melodies in
Classical concertos were generally simpler and more singable, and the
harmonies were clearer and more straightforward.
•
• Examples of Classical concertos include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Violin
Concerto No. 5," which features a solo violin accompanied by orchestra, and
Ludwig van Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5," which features a solo piano
accompanied by orchestra.
•
• Overall, the concerto genre evolved significantly from its beginnings in the
Baroque period to its development in the Classical period. While early Baroque
concertos were characterized by their use of contrast and virtuosity, Classical
concertos were characterized by their balance, transparency, and simplicity.
• SORU- What changes occurred in instrumental music during the Baroque
period?
• CEVAP- During the Baroque period (17th and early 18th centuries),
instrumental music underwent a number of significant changes. Some of the
main changes that occurred during this time include:
•
• The development of new instrumental forms: During the Baroque period, a
number of new instrumental forms emerged, including the concerto, the sonata,
and the suite. These forms provided composers with a structure for organizing
their music and allowed them to explore the technical and expressive
capabilities of various instruments.
•
• The rise of instrumental music as a solo genre: During the Baroque period,
 instrumental music became increasingly important as a solo genre. Prior to this
time, instrumental music had largely been used as a form of accompaniment for
vocal music. However, in the Baroque period, instrumental music began to be
composed and performed as a standalone genre, and many composers wrote
works specifically for instruments such as the violin, harpsichord, and organ.
•
• The expansion of instrumental music's range and technical demands: During the
Baroque period, instrumental music became increasingly virtuosic and
demanding in terms of technique. Composers wrote music that explored the full
range of an instrument's capabilities and that required performers to have a high
level of skill and dexterity.
•
• The development of new instrumental ensembles: During the Baroque period,
new instrumental ensembles emerged, such as the string quartet and the
orchestral suite. These ensembles allowed composers to explore a wider range
of textures and timbres, and provided performers with new opportunities to
work together in smaller groups.
•
• Overall, the Baroque period was a time of significant change and innovation in
instrumental music, and these changes laid the foundation for the development
of instrumental music in the Classical and Romantic periods that followed.
• SORU- In what situations do we find the descending tetrachord?
• CEVAP- As a melodic figure: Descending tetrachords were often used as a
melodic figure in Baroque music, particularly in vocal music such as opera. In
this context, descending tetrachords could be used to create a sense of tension
or dissonance, or to provide a contrast to more consonant melodies.
•
• As a harmonic device: Descending tetrachords were also used as a harmonic
device in Baroque music, particularly in instrumental music such as concertos
and sonatas. In this context, descending tetrachords could be used to create a
sense of instability or dissonance, or to provide a contrast to more consonant
chords.
•
• In modal music: Modal music, which is music that is based on modes rather
than major or minor scales, was an important feature of Baroque music. In
modal music, descending tetrachords were often used to create a sense of
tonality or to provide a contrast to more consonant intervals.
•
• Overall, descending tetrachords were an important feature of Baroque music
and were used in a variety of musical contexts to create tension, dissonance, or
contrast. They are an important musical interval that was widely used in many
different styles of Baroque music.
• SORU-In the Baroque era pre-existing music continued to be included in new
pieces—in what contexts, for example?
• CEVAP- In the Baroque era, it was common for composers to include pre-
existing music in new pieces. This practice, known as "borrowing" or
"quotation," was used for a variety of reasons, including to pay homage to
earlier composers, to reference popular melodies, and to create connections
between different works.
•
• There are many examples of pre-existing music being included in new pieces in
the Baroque era. Some common contexts in which this practice occurred
 include:
•
• Operas and other vocal music: In operas and other vocal music, it was common
for composers to include pre-existing melodies or passages from other works as
a way to reference popular tunes or to create connections between different
works.
•
• Instrumental music: In instrumental music, composers often included pre-
existing melodies or passages from other works as a way to pay homage to
earlier composers or to reference popular melodies.
•
• Choral music: In choral music, composers often included pre-existing melodies
or passages from other works as a way to pay homage to earlier composers or to
reference popular melodies.
•
• Overall, the practice of borrowing or quoting pre-existing music was common
in the Baroque era and occurred in a variety of musical contexts. It was used as
a way to pay homage to earlier composers, to reference popular melodies, and
to create connections between different works.

Check the below-link for chapter outlines:

https://wwnorton.com/college/music/concise-history-western-music4/ch/13/
outline.aspx